Shotts on goal deny Stow South Cup final place

Their wait is not quite as long as Hibs’ for their next Scottish Cup triumph, but Stow’s 28 years of South Cup woes are proving equally frustrating, writes Kenny Paterson.

The coveted amateur trophy has still never been won by the Villagers since the club was founded in 1987, and they will have to wait at least another year after a sore semi-final defeat to Shotts Victoria at Broxburn.

The pain was accompanied by anger after Stow’s squad and management felt they were harshly treated by referee Ewan Cruickshanks.

The main focus of their ire was the lack of a penalty for what appeared a blatant handball by Victoria’s Scott Brown in his own penalty area from a Jack Hay shot.

The score was 0-0 at the time, and Stow were left wondering if the final result would have been different if it had been awarded.

However, there was no doubt Shotts deserved to make the final.

They scored three goals through Brown, Scott Barr and Richard Barr, the latter a stunning 30-yard volley which was more fitting of a Champions League semi-final, rather than a South Cup last-four tie.

Stow, who were missing a number of players due to holiday commitments, were also angered by a series of late challenges by Shotts, in particular two committed on Hagen Steele which went unpunished.

Referee Cruickshanks eventually sent off Scott Barr 15 minutes from time after he received a second booking for a daft kick on Paul Young.